The Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), held under the theme ‘From Potential To Prosperity’, yesterday adopted the Doha Political Declaration, reinforcing the international community’s commitment to the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA).
The conference, while adopting the declaration, presented a unique opportunity to translate the vision of the DPoA into tangible results with countries and stakeholders showcasing a host of commitments, ranging from improving biodiversity and tackling malnutrition to resilience building in the LDCs.
A 10-year plan to put the world’s 46 most vulnerable countries back on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was adopted while bold commitments were made at the conference marking a transformative turning point for the world’s poorest countries, whose development has been hindered by crises, including Covid-19, climate change and deepening inequalities. The declaration outlines a transformative agenda to tap into the potential of the LDCs. Measures include the development of a food stockholding mechanism for LDCs with an online university focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, especially for women and girls along with an international investment support centre, a sustainable graduation support facility, comprehensive multi-hazard crisis mitigation and resilience-building measures for least developed countries.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, who presided over the plenary session on Adoption of the Doha Political Declaration, said DPoA and the Doha Political Declaration constitute an important legacy for Qatar and the international community for co-operation in the field of development as part of the humanitarian duty towards the people of LDCs.
The goals in the declaration should not remain on paper. They must be translated into actions and tangible results by taking practical measures to bring about the desired transformation in the lives of the people of LDCs,” he stressed.
“Achieving the SDGs in the Least Developed Countries is a litmus test for achieving the 2030 Agenda writ large, including by ensuring that no one — and no LDC — is left behind” said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed. “That is why the DPoA must be seen as a vehicle for SDG acceleration,” she added.
“We have closed LDC5 with renewed commitments towards achieving the DPoA,” said President of Malawi and current Chair of the Group of LDCs Dr Lazarus Chakwera exuding his confidence that the conference will be a changer for the backward countries across the world.
“The adoption of Doha Political Declaration will result in LDCs achieving the goal of graduation and a more prosperous and sustainable future,” said the Secretary-General of the Conference and UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Rabab Fatima.
HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani noted that Qatar will provide needed assistance to follow up and monitor the implementation of the declaration by joining hands with the international community.